Over the past few years we’ve been asked to donate mats to many different kinds of organzations. In the beginning we donated to anybody asking for mats. Then as time went on I started to think beyond the initial donation and instead think about the future of the mat and the people using it.

The impetus for such reflection came from my sister, an elementary school teacher. Before the beginning of last school year my sister was interested in bringing some yogic poses and breathing techniques to her classroom. I sent her some links about yoga and kids and how other schools are implementing yoga. As the school year progressed I realized that she had never requested mats for her students. This seemed odd as we were reciving a flood of requests from schools and parents of school children asking for mats. Sometime in late fall I finally asked my sister why she hadn’t asked for mats and if she needed or wanted any. She replied with a vehement “no”. She brought up a number of things I hadn’t considered and questions we at Recycle Your Mat now ask those requesting mats.

1a) Do the poses you do REQUIRE a mat? Are we sending a message to our kids that they can’t participate or enjoy yoga without a mat? In my sister’s classroom yoga is done in short increments a few times a day utilizing beginner poses next to their desk. Even longer sessions do not necessitate the use of a mat (many yoga teachers I’ve had don’t use a mat, and we’ve received emails from those that don’t use mats and find them to be just another thing to purchase).

1b) Are there other things that could be just as useful, such as a towel? Many teachers like the benefits a mat can bring from a “space defining” standpoint. A mat or a towel can define personal space, sometimes a much needed tool in a cramped classroom!

2) Where will the mats be stored? Does a classroom or other facility have the space to store mats? Also consider that in short yoga sessions, especially with youngsters, the quest to get mats out and down, then rolled up and put away, can add a significant amount of time onto any yoga session.

3) Perhaps most important, who will clean the mats and how will the mats be cleaned? In addition to the above concerns this is the top reason my sister didn’t want mats. Was she to be in charge of cleaning 30+ mats on a frequent basis in her bathtub? Where would she hang them to dry? Thirty mats hung to dry in her house for a few days would make negotiating around the house an impossible mission.

Other items such as a towel are easier to clean, can be purchased in bulk at most second hand stores and don’t take nearly as long to dry. Those of us with kids, be it kids of our own or kids in a classroom know germs spread fast in school. If your school or organization is in need of something to use for practice that many people will use, an item that is easy to clean and can be cleaned often is a big help.

4) What will happen to the mats once they are too worn for use? Will they end up in the trash?

An admission - as someone with unusually obnoxious sweaty feet, I would be broken in many places attempting to do an Ashtanga practice without the assist of a mat (or yoga socks when I travel). Therefore, I understand sometimes there is nothing that can take the place of a good sturdy mat.

My hope is that the above questions, and example of my sister’s situation will help guide you in your donations. 

Namaste,

RecycleYogi